9mm the same as .357 magnum?

This is a discussion on 9mm the same as .357 magnum? within the Defensive Ammunition & Ballistics forums, part of the Defensive Carry Discussions category; I was wondering why people always say that 9mm +p is equal to the .357 magnum? in the same bullet weights? I'm not one to ...

9mm the same as .357 magnum?

I was wondering why people always say that 9mm +p is equal to the .357 magnum? in the same bullet weights? I'm not one to bash 9mm(its a good round,i have a few pistols chambered in it) but I don't see it being the same as a .357 magnum as far as terminal balistics goes. So what do guys think is a Glock 26/19 with +p 9mm more effective than say my Ruger SP101 with a 125gr bullet?

I would think looking at the data and it seems like even in a +p+ loading the 9mm still doesn't have the same muzzle energy as even a "lite" .357 magnum load. So what do you guys think of this?

In chronographing both over the years I don't see it. Whether factory fodder or hand load the .357 Magnum wins, published ballistics aside. The .357 SIG or the old .38 Super appear to be everything the 9mm is cracked up to be but isn't.

The closest thing in common that a 9mm and .357 mag have is the diameter of the piece of lead. Beyond that I think you have to grasp at straws to make comparisons.

For instance, Hodgdon has a load listed in their data book of a 125 gr Hornady XTP lead with Win 296 powder, or Hodgdon 110, and a velocity of 1996 fps, and an energy level of 1105 ft lbs for the .357 mag.

This would more than likely blow apart any 9mm on the market. Even the hottest Buffalo Bore +p+ loads at 115 gr only come in at 500 ft lbs.

I can't figure out why anyone would try to make a comparison between the two. Maybe a .38 special and 9mm but not the .357 mag.

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From what chronographing I've done w/9mm & 357, with full house 357s, even out of 2 1/2" or 3" barrel, the 357 wins signifcantly. When you go to "mid range" 357s like 125 Golden Saber, the 124+p 9mm (like Gold Dot) is about the same velocity. 1100 to 1200fps depending on barrel lengths.

The 9mm doesn't get there when it comes to comparisons with a .357 mag; thats why for years the 9mm could never be used in IPSC competition and guys like Robbie Leatham and Jerry Barnhart began using .38 supers in the open disvision. IPSC used to have the power factor much higher than it is now, at 175 so there was no way 9mms could compete. My old racegun load was 13.5 grains of AA7 over a 115 grain FMJ; the velocity chronoed out around 1600fps, which made the comp work real well, rendering the gun almost recoilless.

During the mid to late '80s, Colt had an autopistol called the all-american 2000 which failed miserably, but was an interesting experiment. They basically took a .38 super cartridge, beefed it up and made it rimless. The velocities were well into .357 magnum territory and the gun was intended to be marketed to police departments looking to trade in their .357 revolvers for the autopistols, which gave them the same ballistics as their revolver with 15 round autopistol firepower.

As cool as it sounds, the pistol was plagued with problems (someone intimate with this can chime right in here) and the gun was eventually discontinued, never making any inroads to the police markets which were soon overrun with SIGs and eventually dominated with the Glocks.

I myself saw the tremendous potential in an autopistol round that could deliver .357 mag ballistics, and when I finally retired my racegun I had an STI built in .38 super and had the extractor tuned to handle rimless rounds. So I carry 9x23 125 grain silvertips in that gun, which leave the muzzle around 1550fps.....

Pretty spiffy considering that gun holds 18 rounds in the mag and one in the pipe. Imagine having a .357 with 19 rounds?

"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined". - Patrick Henry

The Coonan Arms .357MAG Semi~Auto ~ A NICE vintage semi-auto with true .357 power because it eats .357 Magnum ammo.
I wish that I would have purchased one way back when.
Vintage ones are priced way out of my league these days and "Rare" spare magazines are selling for $250.00 each.

The Coonan Arms .357MAG Semi~Auto ~ A NICE vintage semi-auto with true .357 power because it eats .357 Magnum ammo.
I wish that I would have purchased one way back when.
Vintage ones are priced way out of my league these days and "Rare" spare magazines are selling for $250.00 each.

Disclaimer: The posts made by this member are only the members opinion, not a reflection on anyone else, nor the group, and should not be cause for anyone to get their undergarments wedged in an uncomfortable position.

Probably the closest you'll come in a common gun is the .357 Sig out of something like a Glock 31. Double Tap ammo's stats are a 125gr Gold Dot at 1450fps and 584 ft/lb. My chrony consistently reads them at just over 1500fps. Nice setup when you can buy a drop-in 9mm barrel for practice!